Concept shows how good Facebook could look with a clever redesign

While there’s always an outcry anytime Facebook changes anything, the essential structure of the social networking site hasn’t really radically altered over the years. The biggest change to data was Timeline, but if user interface designer Fred Nerby had his way, those updates would seem like nothing more than a tiny tweak.

Nerby decided to create a mockup of what Facebook could look like — on desktop or tablet — and posted the concept to his Behance profile. It features a more fluid, grid-like layout, greater emphasis on photos and a close friends panel which would allow you to cut out the rubbish updates and focus only on the people who are important to you. He also focused on creating options to hide clutter and expanded the dark messenger column in Facebook’s current apps to feature in other areas, like profile pages.

Nerby said he aimed to create a better understanding between user content and how it is displayed:

I approached the platform from a user perspective and focused on targeted & personalized data while maintaining a visually appealing interface. Facebook has done a good job on this for a long time but we’re still not seeing the full extent of what’s possible within this platform.

I believe the future of data, design & dev lies within personalised or targeted information online, because currently, we’re flooded with information online such as banners, ads and other media’s who have based their campaigns on a more narrative philosophy (which is “interrupting the user” to think of a brand or product they hadn’t thought about). This concept draws upon a systematic theory and creates a more personal environment online.

The concept has received a lot of positive feedback — although it doesn’t include any mocked up advertising, which would probably detract from the design. The video has already gathered over 72 000 views in just over two days. Nerby also says he’d be open to discussing the matter if Facebook wanted to use his design, or offer him a job. There’s been no word from Zuck & co as yet though.